Free For The Love Of A God by Rosanna Leo Page A

does."
    Eric continued as if he hadn't heard her. “Besides—” He waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. “—I've never been drawn to blondes.” He looked at her. “I've always been a sucker for brunettes."
    She swallowed, and noticed how his gaze lingered on her throat. God, she must be so transparent to him. This was a man who was no doubt accustomed to sophisticated women. Elegant women. Not women who still dressed like girls and were ignorant of the finer points of seduction. Eric Lord must think she was such a love-starved fool!
    So why was he here with her?
    She managed, albeit clumsily, to change the subject and steer the conversation toward the one little thing they had in common: their love for all things Greek. She asked about his research, and he asked about all the digs she'd gone on with her father. Before long, she had her photos laid out before them, and they were reminiscing about favorite sites and cities.
    Soon, the Chinese food arrived and he paid for it, much to her chagrin. They dug in, both of them surprised at their huge appetites. Between bites of chicken balls and bok choi, Maia asked about Eric's family. “Tell me about your parents."
    Eric looked uncomfortable for a moment, but the shadow in his eyes passed. “There's not much to say unfortunately. I don't see them much. And they're basically estranged from each other.” He offered up a sad little grin. “My mom and dad love each other passionately. They just can't live together."
    He thought of the willful Ares and the vain Aphrodite. He could never tell Maia the truth. She'd die from shock.
    "But that's so sad,” she persisted. “Can't they get over their differences?"
    "You don't know my parents.” Actually, she probably did know everything she needed to know. The myths were all based on truth. Aphrodite was as much the love-struck tease as Ares was the hard and impatient man of war. As their progeny, he saw it as his duty to temper and control those two warring sides of himself. He could never allow himself to loose the rein on the emotions stirring just below his surface.
    "So, you don't see them much?"
    She seemed so upset for him. Her concern was adorable. “It's okay. It's better this way. I hate to say it, but there are some destructive influences in my family. A lot of ... addictive personalities. I prefer to keep away from them. Stay on the straight and narrow, you know?” He chuckled.
    "What is wrong with the Lord family?” exclaimed Maia. “Can't they even get their acts together for their son?"
    "What about your mother? You've never mentioned her."
    "Oh,” she said quietly. “That's because I don't know her. I was almost five when she decided she didn't want me anymore. Didn't want us."
    Eric stared at her, stunned into silence. Didn't want her? Who wouldn't want her?
    "My mom was an artist. She came from a totally different world than my dad. She tried joining him on digs at the start of their marriage, but just wasn't interested. He says they were too different to be compatible. They had this whirlwind love affair, and then I came along. Soon afterward, my mother decided she wasn't ready to be a mom and wife. She just walked away.” Maia's face broke into a pathetic, crumpled grin which didn't mask her pain. “I've never heard from her. Not a single birthday card. Not one phone call. She could be lying in a ditch somewhere and I wouldn't know."
    Eric put down his plate of fried rice and frowned at her. “If it's any consolation, your mother's a fool."
    "Well, I'm lucky I had my dad. He was the best. He always has been.” She turned her head and grabbed her Holly Hobby bag from where she'd draped it over the couch. “He gave this bag to me after my mom left. I carried it everywhere I went as a child. It became my security blanket. Years later, when dad got sick, I found it in a box with some things I'd put away. I haven't been able to put it back. I know it's pathetic. I'm a grown woman and I carry a security